They cast their pronouncements, announcing the scores, They simply adored Sarah-Jane’s petits fours. It’s amazing the difference a brilliant judge makes, Without them we’d simply be looking at fudge cakes.

The winner is smiling, the loser is glum. He should have known brie wouldn’t complement plum. But all is not lost, as they each have three chances To bake and to win, and become this year’s Frances.

The technical challenge is their chance to gain stature: This week’s task is a pudding focaccia, From Mary’s own recipe – don’t make a mess! But how do you make it? That’s anyone’s guess.

The technical round’s always ripe for disasters, Contestants in tears, and thumbs in blue plasters. (And all of this action, of course, intercuts With footage of squirrels protecting their nuts.)

When the focaccia’s been baked – and then tasted And a contestant from Hull has been forked and basted, The showstopper final will round off our hour – This week please make us a biscuity tower.

Whatever the challenge the tension now grows At the end of this bake we know somebody goes. Sue gets more quiet, Mel gets more manic, As everywhere bakers are starting to panic.

My oven’s too hot! My soufflé won’t rise! How do I crimp the edge of these pies? I promise my buns would be simply amazing If I’d known that the flour I’d used wasn’t self-raising.

Times up, but my macaroons cannot be rushed! My chocolate won’t melt and my raspberries are crushed! My filo has failed and my roti looks tattyAnd the less said the better about this chapati.

My crème caramel has dissolved into gunge I forgot to put flour and eggs in this sponge. My oven just let out a terrible bang, Which doesn’t bode well for my lemon meringue.

But when it goes right, the results are immense, It’s amazing what people can make while in tents. Hot lemon tarts and hazelnut parcels, Beautiful wedding cakes, gingerbread castles.

I think that this show is what telly is made for What HD is bought for, and licence fees paid for. So British and warming, a wonderful treatAnd after each show you need something to eat.

So all thanks to Bake Off, this fine undertaking, We can put up our feet and just watch people bakingAnd if you’ve not seen it, then join in the fun!Each Wednesday at 8, now on BBC1!